Please help...I'm so confused!

[Mrsj1975]

Hi everyone...

Alright..I am a US citizen who married a UK citizen. I have 4 children from a previous marriage and my UK husband and I have one together.

Now, we went thru the immigration process and moved here to England at the end of September 2013. My children and I were granted the Spouse and dependent visas.

My UK hubby applied for and was granted child benefit for our US/UK child together. My husband then went and applied for child tax credits, for all of the children, .back in October. We were told that an award had been made, and to keep checking his bank account. That ..FINALLY.. was last week. Today, a check from tax credits came thru the door..IN MY NAME! I didn't apply for it..I know my info of course is on the application..but what??

Does this mean I am in violation of my visa now? No claim to public funds? We haven't even received our award letter.

I am so confused and now a bit scared...please any advice would be helpful before I eat my fingers out of frustration.

Thank you...

[Greenie]

tax credits have to be claimed in joint names. Is your husband also named on the letter?

[Mrsj1975]

We haven't received our letter yet. He called last week to check on our claim. He works for the government, so we need to make sure we aren't in trouble with me being the only one named on the cheques. Also, we had given them his bank info to send any award ..if any..to..and is it normal for a cheque?

[Amber]

So long as the tax credits claim is in joint names it doesn't matter who it's paid for. Child benefit should be in your spouse's name only,

[Mrsj1975]

Ok..we received the letter. The letter was addressed to both of us, however it says that the payments are awarded to me??? The child benefit is in his name only and is for our Uk son only. The child tax credits were awarded to all of the children.

Now he wants me to send the checks back and ask them to reissue them in his name..advisable or not?

Thank you for your help and input on this..

[Amber]

That's fine. No need to change it.